MS proposes end-to-end trusted computing
updated 01:55 pm EDT, Tue April 8, 2008
MS End-to-End Computing
Microsoft today suggested a major change to Internet technology that it claims could dramatically improve the security of users online. Nicknamed End-to-End Trust, the system would take the existing philosophy behind the company's existing Trustworthy Computing for PCs and extend it to the whole Internet. Devices, data, and software would incorporate a "trusted stack" of code that authenticates the user at every step of a transaction online.
The technique would more readily protect against identity theft and also ensure that content using the system is legitimate and keep private data away from public view, Microsoft says. The Windows developer argues that its proposed system would be open in its creation and has set up an open forum to discuss the merits of the system rather than designing the system solely on its own.
Microsoft's suggestion may prove controversial. The company's existing Trustworthy Computing implementation depends in part on digital rights management (DRM), which in many cases is already used to prevent copying of music and video as well as to degrade the playback of certain HD movies on unauthorized hardware. Critics have chastised such systems for potentially infringing on fair use and also note that it could be used for anti-competitive purposes, such as disabling or restricting software from rival manufacturers.
Open-source proponents have also resisted attempts to spread Microsoft's Trustworthy Computing efforts, warning that any software would have to be subject to an approval process before it would be allowed to run on most computers. Most open-source projects often undergo frequent public revisions before their final releases.
correct me if I'm wrong
04/08, 02:19pm reply
but isnt the internet the minority in identity theft cases?
When my credit card number was used for fraud, it wasn't from an online store.. it was from a local restaurant. :/
eldarkus
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Joined: Feb 2004
Better Solution
04/08, 02:41pm reply
Make software venders responsible for all fradulent transactions. Better code might result.
starwarrior
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Joined: Mar 2006
That's Fine
04/08, 02:53pm reply
There are certainly some uses for this, but it's important to give the user fine control over this feature, so that they can surf 'untrusted', and hopefully avoid identifying themselves during their personal surfing. I personally would NOT trust Microsoft, or any other proprietary vendor with such technology, however, and would require complete transparency and access to source code, to ensure that nothing underhanded is taking place.
WiseWeasel
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MS != trust
04/08, 03:39pm reply
I like the idea, but I'm not sure I'd trust MS to do it, no matter how "open" they say it would be. First it will be "Trust for Sure". Then after everyone has adopted it, MS will create a new program called "Trust Everywhere". They will incorporate it into Windows and depricate "Trust for Sure" to be no longer supported, thus forcing everyone to adopt "Trust Everywere". Next will come "Just Trust Me", which will be only available on computers that MS builds and sells themselves, thus s******* every 3rd party partner who signed on board with their previous Trust programs.
ender
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Joined: Mar 1999
are you nuts?
04/08, 03:52pm reply
Does anyone seriously want MS to be the policemen of the web? These dumbasses haven't been able to design their own systems and software efficiently for over a decade. I can just image running something like this -- at every website you would have to wait 20 seconds and then get a message that some kind of directory kernel or encapsulated code was unreadable -- and when you click OK it gives you the same message for every DIV and file on the website.
Just LEAVE THE NET ALONE. Reasonably careful people are safe, and those that aren't -- well --
Doofuses.
robttwo
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Joined: Nov 2005
maybe an "internet
04/08, 05:35pm reply
genuine advantage" download will fix everything.
It might open new "vistas" for us all. Shouldn't all browsers be IE?
I'm sure this idea will "play for sure!"
Flying Meat
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call it the
04/08, 05:43pm reply
Patriot Computing initiative. It's bound to fly. :|
Flying Meat
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no!!!
04/08, 08:14pm reply
Microsoft sucks a** at security. I don't want them controlling the authenticity of anything on the internet.
howiethemacguy
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Joined: Sep 2007
Jeez...
04/08, 08:57pm reply
M$ just doesn't get it when it comes to the internet. They have this slow browser that doesn't render standard HTML code properly, plus they have the ever popular Windows operating system that is vulnerable to internet viruses and attacks. WHy the heck would anyone want THEM to police the internet? UGH!
G4_Kessel
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end-to-end trust?
04/08, 09:07pm reply
There's only one ends I would let Microsoft near, and it's not my front end.
elroth
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